Utilization of 2013 BRFSS Physical Activity Data for State Cancer Control Plan Objectives: Alabama Data

Abstract

Objectives All comprehensive US cancer control plans mention physical activity and implement physical activity promotion objectives as part of these cancer plans. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the physical activities reported by Alabama adults in the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS) and to compare these activities by age group and relative exercise intensity. Methods This investigation used data on 6503 respondents from the 2013 BRFSS sample of respondents from Alabama with landline and cellular telephones. Respondents were asked whether they engaged in any physical activities or aerobic exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking. Information was collected on strengthening activities such as yoga, sit-ups, push-ups, and using weight machines, free weights, and elastic bands. Relative exercise intensity was estimated for each aerobic activity by comparing the 60% maximal oxygen uptake with metabolic equivalent values. Results Approximately two-thirds (63.7%) of respondents reported that they engaged in exercise in the past 30 days; 45.4% participated in enough aerobic activity per week to meet guidelines, and 25.9% met the muscle-strengthening guidelines. Only 10.1% of respondents 65 years old and older met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines, compared with 15.2% of those 18 to 64 years old (P < 0.05). The most common activity reported for ages 18 to 64 years was walking (53.3%), followed by running (12.7%), and gardening (4.7%). Among adults aged 65 and older, the top three activities were walking (63.2%), gardening (13.3%), and use of a bicycle machine (2.9%). The activity intensity was significantly greater for walking, gardening, and household activities among older adults compared with those younger than age 65. Conclusions Because the recommended levels of physical activity are not met by a majority of Alabama residents, it is important to incorporate this information into state cancer objectives. Older adults may have higher relative energy costs compared with younger adults. Future studies should discern whether activities previously classified as low intensity have adequate health benefits, especially for cancer survivors and older adults with comorbidities.

Occupational disruptions during lockdown, by generation: A European descriptive cross-sectional survey

“…This finding is in line with previous reports in which (i) gardening is the first or second most important physical activity for 9% of under-65s and 24% of over-65s and (ii) some activities (e.g. gardening) might be considered as quiet leisure for YAs but as active leisure for OAs (Desmond et al, 2015). Lastly, OAs were more likely to go walking, go swimming, do yoga and play golf, and less likely to go running and play team sports, relative to YAs.…”

Utah Cancer Survivors: A Comprehensive Comparison of Health-Related Outcomes Between Survivors and Individuals Without a History of Cancer

“…Supporting this growing population of survivors is essential to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP), which provides support to organizations in states, tribal groups, and territories in understanding the burden of cancer, improving access to care, and enhancing quality of life for survivors. However, few state-specific assessments have identified areas of action for the NCCCP program [2–5].…”

Leisure and Productivity in Older Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…Although van Nieuwenhuizen et al [ 32 ] applied the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), they did not use the tool's open-ended options. By way of an example, Desmond et al's [ 47 ] study of 6503 respondents from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS) used open questions. This enabled the researchers to draw up a list of the Alabama residents' most common occupations, with a focus on the importance of assessing leisure and household activities when measuring PAs.…”

“…This would allow clients to decide in which very valued occupation they prefer to put their energy to continue engaging in the occupations defining their selves [ 36 ], using energy conservation techniques which have been found to be successful in reducing cancer-related fatigue [ 48 ]. Furthermore, some “moderate” activities become “vigorous” with age [ 47 ], so there is a need to carefully assess the energy level of a given occupation for a given person. Occupational therapists may help with this choice by assessing functional and occupational problems of older adults at risk of participation limitations [ 51 ].…”